Apple’s new iPhone 5 won’t rely on Samsung components as much as older models

Samsung has been a key component supplier to Apple throughout the years, manufacturing parts for basically all iPhone models until now (although the latest iPhone 4S doesn’t use Samsung-made NAND flash, like the previous models do).

But Apple’s new iPhone, expected to be unveiled on September 12 in San Francisco, might not rely that much on Samsung components.

Even so, Reuters reports that “Samsung is still in the list of initial memory chip suppliers (for new iPhones). But Apple orders have been trending down and Samsung is making up for the reduced order from others, notably Samsung’s handset business.” The publication further notes that Apple didn’t reduce Samsung orders because of the two companies’ ongoing patent disputes, but because it wants to widen its supply chain in order to avoid shortages.

Certainly, having components from more than just one supplier is not a bad idea for Apple. And Samsung will likely not be affected too much by Apple’s reduced orders – not when its own smartphones are selling this well.